The MR2 Owner's Club of New Zealand

Swampy wrote:I do have one final question guys - How do you know when the system is completely bled? I stopped adding coolant and let all coolant drain right down and then closed the lines. We had done 10L of coolant premix. I then cleaned up and drove the car out. Last thing I want to do is cook my engine.

Don't let the coolant drain down the bleeder line, it's better to leave coolant in the bleed line and once it's bled, then close the valves. This prevents air getting sucked back into the cooling system as the engine and coolant cool down. Also, once the radiator fan's start cycling on and off, it's basically too late to continue bleeding because the coolant will start turning into steam and this can bring air back into the system. I tend to put the cap on and close the valves every couple of minutes while the engine is warming up, and loosen off the valves to let the pressure out and force the air out, then topping up again at the cap.

Cheers Jason, I tried that method today and found it worked really well. It obviously works better than just leaving the valves open the whole time. The only error was that I spent hours just chilling with coolant in my funnel and the car refused to take any more despite bleeding and running at idle every 15min for around 3 mins. Bubbles were clearly moving up the hoses so there was a bit of air still in there.

I assume that my bleed is complete.The coolant level in the water filler never went down. In fact I had to remove the funnel with coolant and get the cap back on. I also filled the reservoir tank with coolant. It is probably safe to say I've still got a bit of air in there though. However I hope the car won't break down on me. Famous last words.

Swampy wrote:I assume that my bleed is complete.The coolant level in the water filler never went down. In fact I had to remove the funnel with coolant and get the cap back on. I also filled the reservoir tank with coolant. It is probably safe to say I've still got a bit of air in there though. However I hope the car won't break down on me. Famous last words.

The reservoir tank should be at least half full when you are bleeding the system. After it's bled, then you fill the reservoir up to the max line. Tomorrow, before you go for a drive, check the coolant level again and top up as needed. After warming the engine right up to running temp, the process is complete.

Also, the last line in my last post is the trick I use to do a bleed once. I figured this out after a few different methods.

JasonFriday13 wrote:

Swampy wrote:The reservoir tank should be at least half full when you are bleeding the system. After it's bled, then you fill the reservoir up to the max line. Tomorrow, before you go for a drive, check the coolant level again and top up as needed. After warming the engine right up to running temp, the process is complete.

Also, the last line in my last post is the trick I use to do a bleed once. I figured this out after a few different methods.

Cheers for that. I'll be sure to check my coolant level and also keep an eye on it for a week or so. I'm assuming a top up/removing radiator cap would introduce an insignificant amount of air back in the system though. Any other tips that I can look for when inspecting that may possibly indicate my bleed didn't go well?

Just make sure you park with rear end up a tad when you leave overnight. Check in morning and top up as required. Should only have to do a couple times.

What's up now? Well I passed my restricted, and managed to get 450km out of a full tank. I'm not sure if this is due to fresh coolant, or because I'm doing less short journeys. But it sure does beat my usual 350-360km. Most weekends I'll go for a long drive to the quieter parts of Auckland and take some back roads. Because it's Christmas and the first time some of my family will be seeing my car I will be doing cosmetic stuff for the interim. Got some new wheels 215/40(or 45?)/17 7in wide Toyota OEM, centre bore is 60.1mm but offset is tad high must be round 38-44. And they're all on el cheapo tyres. I'll only be driving on them once, only putting them on for show or 11s. If budget allows I will repair scratches/curbing and test out my painting skills.

I may add that rev matching is very fun on a quiet off-ramp. P.S I haven't done much to sort my leak issue just yet...
Passed restricted on 200,000th b'day

My new wheels

Congrats on passing your restricted, it's a great feeling
What's next?

Long term I've been thinking V6, but want something that can rev. I need to sort my clutch and a rust removal and respray but that will take some saving. I would probably take the opportunity to fit a body kit whilst the thing is getting repainted.

Anyways, back to earth

Passed wof, I've used 3mm of tread since last wof and don't know how that was achieved. Good thing I'm planning on buying new wheels so can slap on some tyres that are as grippy or if not grippier than the Yokohamas I currently have on the stock 14s.
Bought this as a budget set to get "daps" from my cousins at xmas (family gathering), but since they're 245/45 and *not* 245/40 they didn't fit Oh well. The sidewalls weren't that stiff at all and they were 3x zetums and one 'A-ONE' brand IIRC. I should've used the money on an intake set up...
Can't see much value for money in slapping on a decent set of tyres on heavy 17s which aren't that great looking. Next time I'll actually pay attention to sidewall profile. Would rather put the decent rubber on a set which look good and are relatively light.
Met up with Mr Shiny who transformed my car into something relatively pretty. I learnt heaps too!!

Went on my first run
Extra pics
Oh yeah -- my car's been keyed as well. Joys of not having off street parking.. but then again, it was a half-ass keying.

Mr.Shiny is a wizard.

Shame to hear it's been keyed. Jealous people everywhere. Perhaps it can be cut out again with another treatment.
Great to hear you've got your restricted. Having fun with the 5 speed now? Makes an auto look boring aye!

Looks great! Glad to see the progress is coming along nicely.

Yeah James I'm off work now, so if you would like that keying looked at pop around.

Yea the 245/45 is rather large to fit under strut cup. What do you plan to do with them now?

On the paintwork you can get rattle can paint mixed up to match your colour + clearcoat. I find its pretty good to do the plastics with (bumper, mirrors, spoiler). Doesn't take a lot of work to get looking decent. I'm sure 'Mr Shiny' can help with some advice.

Yo sorry guys, I didn't notice all these replies. Cheers for the kind words.

I suppose you are back at work now Brae Keying someone else's car is not cool.

Unfortunately, I got the wrong paint - It was near xmas and repco was selling it for like 6 bucks a can or something redonkulous, next time this car is painted it will be a proper job.

As for what I will do with the wheels, I don't have a second car that can fit all 4 in but may borrow a family members' van. I'm thinking either trading in the tyres or selling altogether. I'm buying a new set of Rays wheels from Japan through ml racing so they will be wearing Potenzas and I'm not too sure what I can do with a heavy(will compare with rays maybe?) set of wheels. Plus I am also thinking of repainting my stock wheels in a pearl black colour because I like the 14s as they are light and stock.

Since my last update I've just been enjoying summer, it's so good to be able to get away from the hustle and bustle of the CBD with some twisty roads and a mid engined car I did have a crash though whilst out in the country, completely awkward intersection coming out of a 70km zone to a 50 with the sign right infront of said intersection, and after realising the striaght road I wanted to take would make me cross centre line I decided to take the hidden left albeit too late. I'm now much more vigilant and appreciate all the tips I get re driving safely out there. Even though it may be open road I do not have to drive at 100 all the time - oh and I did have one aggressive driver in a hatchback try to tailgate me only to get left behind in the corners I won't be attending any runs in Feb unfortunately but I most likely will make the AGM.

So besides new wheels, I'm investing in making my car safer, in particular new indicators (one side broke when I crashed) and getting my headlights aligned and maybe new bulbs if budget allows. It'll be interesting to see if I can get the indicator + plastic to fit securely on bent metal, if anyone has experience straightening the metal bit that holds indicator and bumper side in place I will pay in food and alcohol Unfortunately ebay seller in UK is a bit unresponsive -- but after this my clutch will need doing and I'll save for the tyres.

I did wreck my front bumper I admit but I've learnt from my mistake and will find a better solution to fitting a replacement than the brackets in the sides.

Now for some pics --

And the last of the pic spam

Oh no that sucks man =(, sorry to hear about the crash!
It could have been worse though, so I guess that's the silver lining